HJRES 159
104th Congress
House
Taxation
Congress
Congressional voting
Constitutional amendments
Government Operations and Politics
Income tax
Law
Legislation
Record votes
Tax rates
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require two-thirds majorities for bills increasing taxes.
Everywhere this bill has been
23 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 15, 1996
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 15, 1996
On passage Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 243 - 177 (Roll no. 117).
Apr 15, 1996
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by voice vote. (consideration: CR H3304)
Apr 15, 1996
DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions.
Apr 15, 1996
Mr. Stenholm moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
Apr 15, 1996
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Apr 15, 1996
DEBATE - The House resumed general debate.
Apr 15, 1996
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 395, the House proceeded with three hours of general debate.
Apr 15, 1996
On motion to table the motion to reconsider Agreed to by recorded vote: 236 - 157 (Roll No. 116). (consideration: CR H3272)
Apr 15, 1996
Mr. Canady moved to table the motion to reconsider
Apr 15, 1996
Mr. Skaggs moved to reconsider the vote.
Apr 15, 1996
On motion to consider the joint resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 241 - 157 (Roll No. 115). (consideration: CR H3271)
Apr 15, 1996
Mr. Skaggs moved to consider.
Apr 15, 1996
Mr. Skaggs raised the question of consideration of the Joint Resolution.
Apr 15, 1996
Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 395, an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H.J. Res. 169 was considered as having been adopted.
Apr 15, 1996
Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 159 with 3 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Providing for the consideration in the House. A specified amendment is in order. An amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H.J. Res. 169 shall be considered as having been adopted. One motion to amend shall be in order, if offered by the Minority Leader or his designee, debatable for one hour.
Apr 15, 1996
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 395. (consideration: CR H3272-3304)
Apr 15, 1996
Rule H. Res. 395 passed House.
Mar 29, 1996
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 395 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 159 with 3 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Providing for the consideration in the House. A specified amendment is in order. An amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H.J. Res. 169 shall be considered as having been adopted. One motion to amend shall be in order, if offered by the Minority Leader or his designee, debatable for one hour.
Mar 6, 1996
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 9, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Feb 1, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 1, 1996
Introduced in House
Votes taken on this bill
2
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15, 1996 | House · vote #117 | On Passage | Failed | 243–177 | See who voted → |
| Apr 15, 1996 | House · vote #115 | Consideration of H.J. Res. 159, as Amended | Passed | 241–157 | See who voted → |
Amendments to this bill
1
Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.
| Amendment | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HAMDT 988 | — | Pending |
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Plain-English summary
Constitutional Amendment - Requires a two-thirds vote of each House of the Congress in order to pass any bill levying a new tax or increasing the rate or base of any tax. Allows the Congress to waive that requirement during war or certain military conflict. Requires all votes under this Amendment to be by yeas and nays and the names of persons voting for and against to be entered in the Journal of each House.
What's happening now
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Related & companion bills
4
Bill text
1 version
- Introduced in House Formatted Text PDF
Committees of jurisdiction
2
Cite this page
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 159: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require two-thirds majorities for bills increasing taxes.. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HJRES-159/
"H.J. Res. 159: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require two-thirds majorities for bills increasing taxes.." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HJRES-159/.
H.J. Res. 159, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HJRES-159/.
[H.J. Res. 159: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require two-thirds majorities for bills increasing taxes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HJRES-159/)